Kaulong Literacy

• Location: Papua New Guinea
• New Testament Completion Date: 2015

The Kaulong people reside on the southwestern coast of New Britain, one of the approximately 600 islands that form the country of Papua New Guinea. About 95% of the 4,000 Kaulong speakers profess Christianity, 13% of whom claim to be evangelical. Although it is still low, the literacy rate in Papua New Guinea has risen over the past years to 25%.

Missionaries Craig and Linda Throop ministered among the Kaulong people for over 30 years and saw the serious need for God's Word in the Kaulong language. Their efforts to meet this need resulted in Bibles International's adoption of the New Testament project in 2004, which included Kaulong language development alongside the translation work. After the New Testament completion in 2015, distribution began of 1,000 Kaulong New Testaments to the believers in the region. Then, in 2019, the literacy team printed 500 copies of a language learning primer, additional readers on creation and the life of Joseph, and a Bible reading guide.

Recently, along with encouraging reports of a fruitful revival among the Kaulong speakers, came the request for more copies of the Kaulong New Testament. Thanks to the advancement and availability of technology, the Kaulong believers also enjoy access to an audio recording of the New Testament in their language.

While Old Testament translation work has unofficially continued through the years, the Kaulong project was readopted for literacy in late 2025. Bibles International is currently seeking missionaries willing to live at the translation center in Kandrian, New Britain, in order that Old Testament translation may be adopted and begin in earnest.

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